Data processing apparatus having function for registering abstract image data

ABSTRACT

A data processing apparatus is disclosed for electronically filing image data including large drawing data at a high speed. An operator sets up a registration mode in the filing apparatus, and enters a retrieval code for retrieving desired image data. These operations are effected by using related keys on a keyboard. A CPU in the filing apparatus carries out a predetermined check on the entered retrieval code, and stores the checked retrieval code in a main memory. A scanner picks up the image data to be retrieved. The image data is stored in a page memory and a display memory, and displayed by a CRT display device. The operator checks the image data if it has a large size, for example, A1 or A2. If it has a large size, he designates necessity of the size reduction of the image data by a keyboard. In response to this designation, the CPU reads out the image data of one page as stored in the page memory. An enlarge/reduction circuit size reduces the image data to a small size--for example, A4--the size-reduced image data being subsequently band compressed by a CODEC, and stored in an optical disk by an optical disk device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a data processing apparatus and, moreparticularly, to a data processing apparatus having a function forregistering abstract image data.

2. Description of the Related Art

To cope with the large volume of documents generated in modern officesand factories, a data processing apparatus for electronically filingdocuments containing literal and drawing information has been developed,and is referred to as an electronic filing apparatus. A documentinserted into such a filing apparatus, is optically scanned in atwo-dimensional manner, and the image data obtained thereby are storedin a large-capacity memory device such as an optical disk. When a copyof a specific document is needed at a later time, the data thereof isretrieved from storage. This type of apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,661,988, for example.

The recent trend is that a plurality of image data filing apparatusesare connected, thus forming a so-called local area network (LAN), sothat data can be retrieved from one apparatus and stored into anotherapparatus. The other recent trend is that the image data filingapparatuses file documents of greater sizes than before. This isbecause, now data is printed not only on A3-size paper, A4-size paper,B4-size paper, which are generally used in offices, but also on paper ofgreater sizes, such as A1-size paper and A2-size paper.

Here arises a problem with a stand-alone filing apparatus. The greaterthe document size, the longer time is required to retrieve the documentfrom the filing apparatus. In particular, it takes an extremely longtime to retrieve data equivalent to a A1-size or A2-size document fromthe filing apparatus.

More specifically, the image data printed at the density of 200 ppi (8lines/mm) on an A4-size document is represented by 500 KB. This data canbe compressed or reduced to about 50 KB by means of MR (modified read)technique. On the other hand, the image data printed at the density of400 ppi (16 lines/mm) on an A1-size document is represented by 16 MB.This large amount of data can be compressed or reduced to about 1.6 MB,about 30 times greater than the compressed A4-size image data. Astand-alone data filing apparatus needs about 0.5 seconds to retrieveA4-size image data (200 ppi), and about 15 seconds to retrieve A1-sizeimage data (400 ppi). In addition, it takes about 10 seconds to transferthe A4-size image data, and about 300 seconds to transfer A1-size imagedata, from one stand-alone data filing apparatus to another.

In short, the greater the image data, the longer the time required toretrieve the data from a stand-alone data filing apparatus and transferit to another stand-alone data filing apparatus. Neither thedata-retrieving time nor the data-transferring time can be shortenedeven if the CODEC circuit for compressing data and the data-transfersystem are improved.

Hence, the stand-alone filing apparatus cannot work so efficiently or soeconomical as is now demanded, due to the long time required to retrievedata and transfer the data to another stand-alone filing apparatus.Further, the present technology is unable to provide a data filingapparatus which can retrieve image data, one A1-size (or A2-size)document after another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a data processingapparatus which can retrieve and transfer any size of image dataincluding large image data at a relatively high speed, with theimprovement of the apparatus operability and efficient use of thecommunication cable.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided an imageinformation filing apparatus comprising means for inputting an originalimage, first memory means for temporarily storing the original imageinput by the inputting means, means for extracting an abstract imagefrom the original image stored in the first memory means, and secondmemory means for storing the original image stored in the first memorymeans and the abstract image associated with the original image,extracted by the extracting means.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided animage information filing apparatus comprising means for inputting anoriginal image, first memory means for temporarily storing the originalimage input by the inputting means, means for preparing an abstractimage by changing the size of the original image temporarily stored inthe first memory means, and second memory means for storing the originalimage temporarily stored in the first memory means and the abstractimage, associated with the original image, prepared by the preparingmeans.

According to a further aspect of this invention, there is provided animage information filing apparatus comprising first inputting means forinputting an original image, first memory means for temporarily storingthe original image input by the first inputting means, means fordisplaying the original image temporarily stored in the first memorymeans, so that a desired portion of the original image is extracted,second inputting means for inputting retrieve data corresponding to theoriginal image, means for extracting a desired portion of the originalimage displayed by the display means, thereby to extract abstract imagedata, which is associated with the original image according to theretrieve data input of the second inputting means, and second memorymeans for storing the original image stored in the first memory meansand the abstract image, associated with the original image, extracted bythe extracting means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned aspects and other features of the present inventionare explained in the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a LAN in which a data processingapparatus according to this invention is incorporated;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a center in the LAN of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a document management table stored, which is used for thedata processing apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one of the terminal devices used in the LANof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a document management system used by thedata processing apparatus according to this invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control flow;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are comparative diagrams of an original image and itsabstract image;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control flow;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an original image being displayed asregistration mode;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams useful in explaining a second embodimentof this invention, and show an original image and its abstract imageformed from a designated region of the original image, respectively;

FIGS. 10C and 10D are diagrams of a modification of the secondembodiment, and show an enlarged abstract image and a reduced abstractimage, respectively; and

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams of another modification of the secondembodiment, and show an original image and an abstract image formed froma plurality of designation regions of the original.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of a data processing apparatus according to thisinvention will now be described, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

In the description to follow, a data processing apparatus according tothis invention is applied to image data filing apparatus which arefurther incorporated into a LAN (local area network).

A typical LAN system is illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown, the LAN systemis comprised of center 10, and terminal devices 10₁, 10₂, . . . ,communication line 12 interconnect these terminal devices 10₁, 10₂, . .. , with center 10.

A configuration of center 10 is illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown, center10 is internally made up of control module 14, memory module 16, imageprocessor module 18, and communication control module 20. Center 10further includes external devices, such as two-dimensional scanningdevice, or scanner 22, printer 24, keyboard 26, CRT display device 28,magnetic disk device 32, and optical disk device 34. Center 10additionally uses system bus 36 and image bus 38.

Control module 14 is made up of CPU (central processing unit) 40 forexecuting various controls of the filing apparatus, and interfacecircuit 42 providing an interface between CPU 40 in control module 14,and its related external devices such as magnetic disk device 32 andoptical disk device 34. CPU 40 is coupled with keyboard 26 and pointingdevice 30, called a mouse. In use, magnetic disk 44 is set to magneticdisk device 32, and optical disk 46 is set to optical disk device 34.

One of the functions of CPU 40 is to make retrieval and registration ofimage data in response to commands coming through communication controlmodule 20 and communication line 12 from terminal devices 10₁, 10₂, . .. , in an on-line manner. In a retrieval mode, any of terminal devices10₁, 10₂, . . . , generates an inquiry command or a retrieval commandinquiring of center 10 as whether there is present or not a document,for example, with the retrieval code. The retrieval code is transmittedto center 10, through communication line 12 and communication controlmodule 20. The CPU 40 in center 10 responds to this, and searches thedocument, and if it is present, returns a signal representing that theretrieved document is present and the image data of the retrieveddocument as well, to the terminal devices 10₁, 10₂, . . . , which issuedthat command. If the document is not present, CPU 40 returns a signalrepresenting that the document is not present, to the external device.In a registration mode, CPU 40 receives the image data to be retrievedand a retrieval code associated with it.

Memory module 16 includes main memory 47 storing a control program ofCPU 40, and page memory 48 serving as image memory with a memorycapacity able to store the image data amounting to several pages of A4size documents. Buffer memory 50 partially occupies page memory 48. Acounter (not shown) controls the read/ write operation for this buffermemory 50. Memory module 16 further includes display memory 52 anddisplay controller 54, both serving as an interface with CRT displaydevice 28.

Image processor module 18 includes enlarge/ reduction circuit 56 forexecuting a processing to enlarge and reduce a displayed image, andaspect converter 58 for converting the coordinates of image data. Thismodule 18 further includes compressor/expander (CODEC) 60 forcompressing image data to reduce a redundancy of the image data and forexpanding the same to restore the compressed image data to the originalone. Scanner interface 62 for scanner 22, and printer interface 64 forprinter 24 are also included in image processor module 18. Internal bus66 further provided interconnects the above constituents components 56,58, 60, 62, and 64 of image processor module 18.

Communication control module 20 includes communication interface 68mainly comprising of BCP (bus communication processor) connecting to aLAN, for example. Communication control module 20 may further include aUCP (universal communication processor) coupled with external devicessuch as FCP (facsimile communication processor) and personal computers,through interface devices such as RS-232C, GPIB, and SCSI.

Communication control module 20 is coupled with the communicationcontrol modules of external devices 10₁, 10₂, . . . , throughcommunication line 12. The module operates in various ways. Whenreceiving an inquiry retrieval code from one terminal device,communication control module 20 sends the retrieved image data to theterminal device. The control module 20 transfers the received inquiryretrieval code to main memory 47. Module 20 transfers the image data tobe stored to page memory 48, and at the same time transfers itsassociated retrieval code to main memory 47.

System bus 36 as a bus for control signals interconnects control module14, memory module 16, image processor module 18, and communicationcontrol module 20. Image bus 38 couples memory module 16 and imageprocessor module 18.

Display memory 52 stores the image data which is actually displayed in awindow or windows of CRT display device, viz., the image data after theimage data in page memory 48 is subjected to appropriate processingssuch as enlargement, reduction, rotation, insertion, and inversion.

Scanner 22 two dimensionally scans an original such as a document by alaser beam, to pick up the information on the document, and convertsthem into electrical signals. The electrical signals are converted intoimage data containing the information. The image data is stored into anoptical recording media such as optical disk 46, which is set to opticaldisk device 34.

Printer 24 prints out in the form of hard copy the image data, such asthe image data as collected by scanner 22, the image data read out fromoptical disk 46 with the aid of optical disk device 34, and the imagedata being displayed by CRT display device 2B, into a hard copy.

Keyboard 26 are used to enter, for example, retrieval codes proper tothe image data to be stored into optical disk 46, and various types ofoperation commands.

CRT display device 28 as one of the output devices uses a cathode raytube as a visual presenting means. CRT display device 28 displays theimage data from scanner 22, the image data read out by magnetic diskdevice 32, and image data as read out by optical disk device 34.Further, CRT display device 28 is capable of displaying the entiredocuments by means of a maximum of four display windows. For example,four documents can concurrently be displayed, while those being arrayedvertically. Various editing works, such as enlargement, reduction,rotation, and scroll, may be conducted in each window independently ofother windows.

Mouse 30 is a pointing device. Device 30 is used to selectively pointout a desired item of edition on the display screen by moving verticallyand/or horizontally a cursor on the screen. The edition items aredisplayed in fixed locations on the display screen, and includes variousmodes, edited image, range of cutting and merging of images, icon, andthe like.

Magnetic disk device 32 is a hard disk device into which a magnetic disk44 may be set. Magnetic disk 44 stores various types of controlprograms, and the retrieval data (image management data) includingretrieval codes entered from keyboard 26, the address and size of eachimage data with a retrieval code in optical disk 46. The addresses usedare logic addresses, and therefore when accessed, the physical trackaddress and physical sector address in the optical disk is calculatedfor each address.

A retrieval code of the retrieval data comprises a plurality of symbolsas entered by different keys. Each page of the document associated withthe retrieval code contains many types of document management data, suchas image number, document number, page number, document size (imagesize), compression method, resolution, block length, and logic addressof image data in optical disk, as shown in FIG. 3. These documentcontrol data groups make up a document management table. Page number "A"indicates an abstract image, which will be described later in detail,not the image specified by the page number.

In FIG. 3, an abstract image corresponding to a first page of eachdocument is added to a top of each document in the document managementtable. However, it is also possible to add an abstract image to everypage of each document.

Terminal devices 10₁, 10₂, . . . , each output a retrieval requestsignal and receives the image data to be stored therein, and areconfigured as shown in FIG. 4. A configuration of terminal device 10₁will be described by way of example.

As shown, terminal device 10₁ is comprised of control module 14₁, mainmodule 16₁, image processor module 18₁, communication control module20₁, scanner 22₁, printer 24₁, keyboard 26₁, CRT display device 28₁,mouse 30₁, magnetic disk device 32₁, system bus 36₁, and image bus 38₁.Scanner 22₁ and printer 24₁ are optionally coupled with terminal device10₁.

Control module 14₁ is made up of CPU 40₁, interface circuit 42₁. Memorymodule 16₁ is made up of main memory 47₁, page memory 48₁ includingbuffer memory 50₁, display memory 52₁, and display controller 54₁. Imageprocessor module 18₁ is made up of enlarge/reduction circuit 56₁, aspectconverter 58₁, CODEC 60₁, scanner interface 62₁, printer interface 64₁,and internal bus 66₁. Communication control module 20₁ mainly comprisescommunication interface 68₁.

When an operator desires a document, for example, he enters a retrievalcode by keyboard 26₁. CPU 40₁ receives the retrieval code and comparesit with a corresponding retrieval code stored in magnetic disk 44₁. Whenthese codes are coincident with each other, CPU 40₁ sends the retrievalcode and an image request signal to center 10 via communication line 12.Magnetic disk 44₁ stores an retrieval code entered by keyboard 26₁, andimage data read by scanner 22₁. The image management data storedmagnetic disk 44 of center 10 is also stored in this magnetic disk 44₁,while having no logic address.

Communication control module 20₁ transmits to center 10 an inquiryretrieval code, image data to be stored and the image data associatedwith the retrieval code. Communication control module 20₁ receives theimage data associated with the inquiry retrieval code coming from center10, and transfers it to page memory 48₁.

The circuit and system components other than the above mentioned onesare substantially the same as those of center 10. Hence, description ofthem will be omitted by merely applying suffix number "1" to theirreference numerals.

How the image data is synthetically managed will be described referringto FIG. 5, from the viewpoint of the document management.

A document management system in this instance, illustrated in FIG. 5,includes four strata, cabinet C, binder B, document D, and page P. Thecabinet C is made to correspond to one side of optical disk 46. CabinetC may be defined by a maximum of eight binders B. Each binder B maycontain a maximum of 30,000 documents D. A title is assigned to eachdocument D. The structure of the title is defined each binder B. Onedocument D is treated as a fundamental unit of a file. "Note" as anexplanation for document may additionally be used to the document, inaddition to the title. Document D has a maximum of 4095 pages P.

Description to follow is elaboration of the operation of the filingapparatuses incorporated in the LAN.

How image data is registered or stored in center 10 will first bedescribed. As shown in FIG. 6 showing a flow chart, an operator pushes aregistration key on keyboard 26 to set up a registration mode in thecenter 10. Then, he enters a retrieval code for the image data to beregistered (step ST1). According to a predetermined format of theretrieval code, CPU 40 checks whether the parameters of the input datasuch as the number of digits and the type of characters are correct ornot. Further, it checks the retrieval code already entered, to avoid thesame data from being doubly registered. If the check result shows thatthe retrieval code is correct, the retrieval data is stored into mainmemory 47.

The operator sets original image 0 as shown in FIG. 7A to scanner 22.CPU 40 senses the original setting, and operates optical disk device 34and scanner 22. Scanner 22 two dimensionally scans original image O,read the image data, and converts them into electrical signals (stepST2). The line data resulting from the electrical signals aresequentially stored into page memory 48 (step ST3). When the image dataof one line has been stored into page memory 48, the image data isdisplayed on display memory 52. The image data is displayed on thedisplay screen of CRT display device 28 under control of displaycontroller 54 (step ST4).

The operator checks various parameters of image data displayed, such asskew, density, and resolution (step ST5). If the check result is nogood, CPU 40 returns to step ST2. If it is good, the operator operates astore key (not shown) on keyboard 26. Then, CPU 40 checks if theregistered image data is the page 1 of one document (step ST6). If theresult is NO, CPU 40 advances to step ST9 to be given in detail laterand stores the image data into optical disk 46 If the answer is YES, CPU40 causes CODEC 60 to compress the image data of one unit stored in pagememory 48 for each line data by a know method, for example, an MH(modified Huffman) method or an MR (modified READ) method. The bandreduced line data is then stored into optical disk 46 by optical diskdevice 34. In this way, the image data supplied from scanner 22 isstored into optical disk 46 by optical disk device 34.

Upon completion of the registration of the image data, CPU 40 stores, inassociation with the retrieval code, the logic address determined by thephysical track address and physical sector address, image lengthdetermined by a block length, resolution, compression method, documentsize, and the like, into main memory 47. CPU 40 reads out the retrievaldata stored in main memory 47 to magnetic disk device 32. The diskdevice 32 stores the retrieval data from main memory 32 into magneticdisk 44.

In step ST6, when the registered image data is the page 1 of onedocument, and has a large size of A2 or larger, for example, A1 or A2size, CPU 40 prepares abstract (in this case, reduced) image of theimage data of the large size and stores it into optical disk 46. This isdone before the image data is registered.

To be more specific, CRT display device 28 displays image O'corresponding to original image O, together with menu "YES" 282 and "NO"284 for specifying or not specifying the abstract image, as shown inFIG. 9. When the abstract image must be specified, the operator pointsout "YES" by moving cursor 286 by means of pointing device 30. Inresponse to the specification of "YES", CPU 40 reduces the image data ofone unit stored in page memory 48 for each line data by means ofenlarge/reduction circuit 56, for examples, the image data of Al or A2into the A4 image data. Then, it band compresses the compressed data inthe MH method, for example by CODEC 60 (step ST7). The compressed linedata is supplied to optical disk device 34. In turn, optical disk device34 stores the supplied data into optical disk 46 (step ST8).

Following this, CPU 40 stores the original image with an original sizeinto optical disk 46 (step ST9), and checks if the next page image ispresent or not (step ST10). If the next page is present, the CPU returnsto step ST2, and executes the above sequence of operation steps. This isrepeated until storage of the image data of necessary pages iscompleted.

Upon completion of the registration of the image data, CPU 40 stores, inassociation with the retrieval code, the logic address of the storedimage data as determined by the physical track address and physicalsector address, image length determined by a block length, resolution,compression method, document size, and the like, into main memory 47.CPU 40 supplies the retrieval data stored in main memory 47 to magneticdisk device 32. The disk device 32 stores the retrieval data from mainmemory 47 into magnetic disk 44.

If the first page of the document as specified by document number"000001" (see FIG. 3) represents a drawing, the image data of A1/400 ppiis reduced into that of A4/200 ppi, and the reduced image data is bandcompresses by CODEC 60. CPU 40 stores the abstract image data of A4/200ppi as the reduced image data into the physical address of optical disk46 corresponding to the logic address "100000". In this case, the datais attached with page number "A". The original image data of A1/400 ppiis band compressed and stored into the memory location of optical disk46 as specified by the physical address corresponding to the logicaddress "100010".

As a result, the original image 0 as shown in FIG. 7A is stored intooptical disk 46 in the form of the abstract image or reduced image O_(A)as shown in FIG. 7B.

In this way, the image data by center 10 is registered.

Registration of the image data by terminal device 10₁ will be described.No description of the same operations as those in center 10 will given,for simplicity.

An operator pushes a registration key on keyboard 26₁ to set up aregistration mode in terminal device 10₁. Then, he enters a retrievalcode for the image data to be registered. CPU 40₁ executes thepredetermined check and processing. The band compressed image data issupplied to magnetic disk 32₁. CPU 40₁ supplies also the retrieval codeof main memory 47₁ to magnetic disk device 32₁. As a result, the bandcompressed image data and the retrieval code are stored into magneticdisk 44₁.

At the end of the image data storing operation, CPU 40₁ sends the imagedata of magnetic disk 44₁ and the retrieval code to center 10, throughcommunication control module 20₁ and communication line 12. Center 10receives the set of image data and retrieval code through communicationcontrol module 20, and stores the image data into page memory 48, andthe retrieval code into main memory 46 under control of CPU 40. Then,CPU 40 supplies the image data of one unit stored in page memory 48 foreach line data to optical disk device 34.

Also in this registration, when the registered image data is the firstpage of one document, and the image size is larger than A2 size or more,e.g., Al or A2 size, the abstract image or reduced image data is sent tocenter 10 and stored into optical disk 46. This is done before the imagedata is sent to center 10 and registered in the optical disk 46.

Description to follow is how the image data thus registered is retrievedin center 10.

As shown in FIG. 8 showing a flowchart describing a control flow of sucha retrieval, an operator pushes a retrieval key (not shown) to set up aretrieval mode in center 10, and enters a predetermined retrieval codein step ST13. CPU 40 compares the retrieval code with those stored inmagnetic disk 44 in progressive order (step ST12). If a retrieval codecoincident with the input one is not found (step ST13), the retrieval isended. If it is found (step ST13), CPU 40 checks if there is present ornot the abstract image data of page number "A" in the set of images inthe document whose number corresponding to the retrieval code (stepST14).

As the result of this check, when the abstract image data is present,CPU 40 reads out the logic address "100000" of the abstract image datain step ST15. Further, it calculates the physical track address and thephysical sector address as specified by the physical address, and causesoptical disk 34 to reproduce the abstract data in the memory location ofoptical disk 46 as specified by these physical addresses. CPU 40supplies to CODEC 60 the compressed image data supplied from opticaldisk device 34 for each scanning line, band expands the compressed imagedata in the MH reverse conversion method, for example, to obtain theoriginal image data, and store them into page memory 48 in successivemanner. When the reproduced image data of one page have completely beenstored into page memory 48, CPU 40 causes CRT display device 28 todisplay the image data as the sized reduced image A_(A) of A4 size onthe display screen, through display memory 52. This is done in stepST16.

The operator closely looks at the display bearing the abstract imagedata, and ascertains that it is the image under retrieval (step ST17),and requests CPU 40 to retrieve that image data by pressing a relatedkey (not shown) on keyboard 26. Responsive to this, CPU 40 reads out thelogic address "100010" associated with the image data of the first pageabstract image data, from magnetic disk 44 (step ST18). Progressively,CPU 40 calculates the physical track address and the physical sectoraddress as specified by the logic address, and causes optical diskdevice 34 to reproduce the image data from optical disk 46 according tothese addresses. CPU 40 further fetches the compressed image data foreach scanning line from optical disk device 34, and supplies the data toCODEC 60. CODEC 60 band expands the compressed image data to theoriginal image data by the MH reverse conversion technique, andsuccessively supplies the data to page memory 48. In this way, all theimage data of one page are stored into page memory 48 (step ST19). Atthis time, CPU 40 causes CRT display device 28 to display the image dataas the A4 size original image data 0 (see FIG. 7A) on the display screen(step ST20).

As described above, the image data of a large size representing, forexample, drawings of A1 or A2 size are reduced to the abstract orreduced image data, e.g., the image data of A4 size. The abstract imagedata, together with the original image, are stored into optical disk 46.To retrieve a drawing, an operator enters a retrieval request command bykeyboard 26. The filing apparatus first successively displays theabstract image data the way one turns over the leaves of a book, andcontinues this till the operator looks up the intended image data, andenters a stop command by a proper key. When looking it up, the operatorrequests the filing apparatus to retrieve the original image datacorresponding to the abstract image data. In response to this, theapparatus reads it out from optical disk 46, an displays it on thedisplay screen. If necessary, the operator applies necessaryprocessings, for example, image editings, to the retrieved image data,and causes the filing apparatus to print out the retrieved image data inthe form of a hard copy by printer 24. At this point, the drawingretrieval work ends.

Thus, to retrieve an original of large size requiring much transmissiontime, the filing apparatus, as installed in center 10 in this instance,takes two steps, to retrieve the image data of small data size calledthe abstract image data and to make the necessary image processing atthe final stage. Therefore, this invention may provide a filingapparatus capable of retrieving the large original at a high speed.

Retrieval of image data by terminal device 10₁ will be described.Description will be given placing an emphasis on the differentoperations from those of center 10. An operator pushes a retrieval key(not shown) on keyboard 26₁, to set up a retrieval mode in terminaldevice 10₁, and enters a predetermined retrieval code. CPU 40₁successively compares the retrieval code with those stored in magneticdisk 44₁ in progressive order. If a retrieval code coincident with theinput one is found, the retrieval code is stored in main memory 47₁.

At the end of the verification of the retrieval code, CPU 40₁ sends theretrieval code of main memory 47₁ to center 10, by way of communicationcontrol module 20₁ and communication line 12.

In center 10, the retrieval code received is stored into main memory 47.CPU 10 executes the necessary processings such as the check of theretrieval code and the abstract image data, as in the above retrieval incenter 10. When the reproduced image data of one page have been storedinto page memory 48, CPU 40 returns the image data (A4 size reducedimage O_(A) in FIG. 7B) to terminal device 10, through communicationcontrol module 20 and communication line 12. Terminal device 10₁receives the reduced image or abstract image data through itscommunication control module 20₁, and displays it on the display of CRTdisplay device 28₁ through display memory 52₁.

The operator ascertains that the abstract image data on CRT displaydevice 28₁ is the intended image data, and enters a command to requestretrieval of that image data by a related key on keyboard 26₁. CPU 40₁then transmits the command to center 10, through communication controlmodule 20₁ and communication line 12. In center 10 receiving thecommand, CPU 40 reads out the logic address "100010" specifying theimage data in the first page of the abstract image data, from magneticdisk 44. As in the retrieval in center 10, the necessary processings inconnection with magnetic disk 34 are performed, all the reproduced imagedata of one page is stored into page memory 48. CPU 40 sends that imagedata (the original image data 0 of Al size in FIG. 7A) to terminaldevice 10₁, via communication control module 20 and communication line12. In terminal device 10₁ after receiving the original image data, CRTdisplay device 28₁ displays the original image data on the screen withthe aid of display memory 52₁.

As described above, the image data of a large size representing, forexample, drawings of A1 or A2 size, are reduced to the abstract orreduced image data, e.g. the image data of A4 size. The abstract imagedata, together with the original image, are stored into optical disk 46.When center 10 receives a retrieval request command from terminal device10₁, center 10 successively sends the abstract image data to terminaldevice 10₁. In terminal device 10₁, an operator repeats the sending ofthe retrieval request command until he looks up the intended image dataThe display device 28₁ successively displays abstract image data the wayone turns over the leaves of a book, and continues this till theoperator looks up the intended image data. When looking it up, theoperator requests the filing apparatus to retrieve the original imagedata, which corresponds to the abstract image data. In response to this,the apparatus reads out it from optical disk 46, and sends the read outimage data to terminal device 10₁. Terminal device 10₁ receives thatimage data, and if necessary, the operator edits the image data whiledisplaying it on CRT display device 28₁. Finally, he print outs theretrieved image data by printer 24₁.

Thus, to retrieve an original of large size requiring much transmissiontime, the filing apparatus, as installed in the center in this instance,takes two steps, to retrieve the image data of small data size calledthe abstract image data and to make the necessary image processing atthe final stage. Therefore, the filing apparatus installed as a terminaldevice is capable of retrieving the large original at a high speed, eventhrough the communication line in a LAN. This results in reduction ofthe time the filing apparatuses in the center and terminal device occupythe communication line interconnecting them.

It is evident that the abstract image data may be prepared not only forthe image data of A1 or A2 size, but also for any other large size imagedata or for a specific image data.

In the above embodiments, the image data of a A2 or larger size aredirectly size reduced and registered into the storage.

In the embodiments described above, the size of the image data, or thefirst page of a document, is reduced into an abstract image which is tobe registered. The abstract image can be regarded as retrieve imagedata, rather than a reduced image. A representative one of the imagedata items forming the document is used as the retrieve image data. Thisabstract image data is registered as the first page of each document, onoptical disk 34. Thus, the retrieve image whose size is, for example,A4, is registered on the first page of each document, in the same way asimages of larger sizes such a A1 and A2. To retrieve the entire documentfrom optical disk 34, the A4-sized abstract image, registered as theretrieval image data, is read out, whereby the data-retrievingefficiency increases.

Furthermore, in case that the registered image is the first page of onedocument and has a large size, e.g., A1 or A2, a part of the imageshowing a feature of the image is stored into optical disk 46 before theoriginal image registration. This partial image will be referred to asan abstract image, and is stored with the size of A4. Items showing theimage features are, for example, drawing number, and document featuringitems such as photograph, illustration, graph, and the like. A partialarea of the image containing is picked up and stored as an abstractimage into the optical disk.

To be more specific, a partial area of A4 size denoted as L of A1-sizeoriginal image O₁ in FIG. 10A includes a drawing number and hence it maybe used as an abstract image. The area L is pointed out by mouse 30 or arelated key or keys on keyboard 26. CPU 40 responds to the pointing outand reads in the image data in area L from page memory 48, and causesCODEC 60 to band compress the image data to abstract image data by theMH conversion technique, and supplies the band compressed image data tooptical disk device 34. Then, optical disk device 34 stores the reducedimage data into optical disk 46.

Following the storage of the abstract image, CPU 40 stores variousparameters, such as image length, resolution, compression method,document size, and the like, into main memory 46, in connection with theretrieval code. The retrieval code is further stored into magnetic disk44 by magnetic disk device 32.

To register for example, the Al drawing that is contained in the page 1of the document bearing document number "000001" (FIG. 3) and isexpressed by image data of A1/400 ppi, the image data of the partialarea L is first picked up, band compressed to the abstract image data ofA4/400 ppi, and stored into the memory area on optical disk 46 asspecified by a physical address resulting from the logic address"100000". The page number attached is "A".

Then, the original image data of A1/400 ppi is band compressed, andstored into a memory location on optical disk 46 as specified by thephysical address based on the logic address "100010".

Thus, for registering the large drawing, its abstract image O₂ (FIG.10B) representing the partial area L is stored before the original imageO₁ (FIG. 10A).

In this embodiment, the display by the CRT display device, retrieval bythat abstract image, registration/ retrieval by terminal devices may beexecuted as in the embodiments already mentioned.

It is needless to say that the abstract image may be applied not only tothe A1 or A2 size documents but also to any other size documents.Furthermore, it is possible to form the abstract image out of adesignated area alone. In such a case, a portion of the original imageO₁ may be directly stored as the abstract image, as in the case of thesecond embodiment. Alternatively, the portion of the original image O₁may be enlarged to form the abstract image O₃, as shown in FIG. 10C, orreduced to form the abstract image O₄, as shown in FIG. 10D, and theenlarged or reduced abstract image may be stored.

Another abstract image formation approach is illustrated in FIGS. 11Aand 11B, in which a plurality of areas L₁, L₂ and L₃ in the originalimage or image data O₁ are picked up to form an abstract image O₅ whichindicates characteristic features of the original image O₁. In thiscase, the plurality of areas L₁ through L₃ within one page one image)are designated, and the designated areas are formed into an abstractimage. This approach is very useful for filing newspaper. In filingnewspaper it is convenient for the operator when retrieval of storeddata that each abstract image contains heading, photograph, data, andthe like rather than it contains the entire news items in reduced size.The designation of the areas in the original image O₁ and the formationof the abstract image may be performed in a man-to-machine conversationby the operator. Alternatively, it is possible to fix needed areas. Ifthe needed areas are fixed, the automatic formation of abstract imagemay be possible. The features for the abstract image may be picked upfrom several pages of a document. This is very convenient for filingpatent Gazettes, for example. In this case, patent number, title, claimsand typical drawings are picked up from the Gazettes and are combinedfor the abstract image.

While the filing apparatus has been described with its application ofthe LAN, it may be applied for any other picture communication systemsuch as a facsimile communication. In this case, when a center receivesa retrieval request signal from a facsimile, it sends a series ofabstract images to the facsimile. An operator picks up the intendedabstract image from those images, and requests the center to retrievethat abstract image. This case brings about an effective use oftelephone line.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image information filing apparatuscomprising:means for inputting a retrieval code of a series of originalimages to be registered; means for inputting an original image, saidoriginal image being one of said series of original images and input inaccordance with the retrieval code; first memory means for temporarilystoring the original image input by the inputting means; means fordisplaying the original image temporarily stored in the first memorymeans; means for designating the presence and absence of a request foraddition of an abstract image associated with the original imagedisplayed on the displaying means; means for preparing the abstractimage based on the original image temporarily stored in the first memorymeans when the designating means designates the presence of the requestfor the addition of the abstract image; second memory means for storingthe original image temporarily stored in the first memory means and theabstract image prepared by the preparing means; and third memory meansfor storing retrieval data corresponding to the retrieval code.
 2. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second memory meansincludes means for storing the abstract image as first-page data of theoriginal image, the original image includes data covering a plurality ofpages.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said preparingmeans includes means for preparing first-page data of the original imagedata as the abstract image, the original image includes data covering aplurality of pages.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidpreparing means includes means for reducing the size of data representedby the original image.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid second memory means comprises an optical recording medium.
 6. Animage information filing apparatus comprising:first inputting means forinputting a retrieval code corresponding to a series of original imagesto be registered; second input means for inputting an original image inaccordance with the retrieval code, said original image being one ofsaid series of original images; first memory means for temporarilystoring the original image input by the second inputting means; meansfor displaying the original image temporarily stored in the first memorymeans, so that a desired portion of the original image is extracted;means for designating presence and absence of a request for addition ofan abstract image associated with the original image displayed on thedisplaying means; means for extracting a desired portion of the originalimage displayed by said display means, based on the original image inaccordance with the retrieval code of the first inputting means, therebyto extract data of the abstract image data, which is associated with theoriginal image according to the retrieve data input of the secondinputting means when the detecting means detects that the abstract imageis necessary; second memory means for storing the original image storedin the first memory means and the abstract image, associated with theoriginal image, extracted by the extracting means; and third memorymeans for storing retrieval data corresponding to the retrieval code. 7.An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second memory meansincludes means for storing the abstract image as first-page data of theoriginal image.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprisingsize-changing means for changing the size of the abstract image,associated with the original image, extracted the extracting means, to adesired size, and wherein the second memory means stores the abstractimage of the desired size.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 8, whereinsaid size-changing means includes means for reducing the size of theabstract image, associated with the original image, extracted by theextracting means.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein saidsize-changing means includes means for enlarging the size of theabstract image, associated with the original image, extracted by theextracting means.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein saidextracting means is capable of extracting a plurality of portions of theoriginal image which correspond to the retrieve data, and saidsize-changing means changes the sizes of the portions of the originalimage.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second memorymeans comprises an optical recording medium.